Tagetes are very robust, easy to care for and completely unproblematic to cultivate. This makes the pretty garden flower with the bright flower heads one of the most popular perennials in our gardens. Since the marigold forms many seeds, it makes sense to use them for propagation.
Tagetes need light to grow
Marigold seeds need light to thrive
The marigold is a light germinator. Unlike dark germs, not much energy is stored in the seeds of marigolds. The sprouted seed must therefore provide itself with nutrients as quickly as possible and does not have the strength to grow from the deep layers of the earth to the saving light.
Make the seeds sprout
The seeds of the marigold only sprout if they receive sufficient light stimuli in addition to heat, oxygen and moisture. The layer of soil covering the seed must not be thicker than the individual seed. The following procedure is therefore recommended for sowing:
- Fill seed trays or pots with soil.
- Moisten the substrate with a sprayer.
- Scatter seeds over a wide area and press down.
- Moisten again with a sprayer.
- A plastic bag or hood placed over the flower pot provides the humidity necessary for germination.
- Place the jars in a warm and bright spot on the windowsill. Direct sunlight must be avoided, as the small seedlings cannot yet withstand it.
Be sure to separate marigolds
Under optimal conditions, the marigold germinates quickly and the first cotyledons usually appear after a week. The small plants grow noticeably and after only two to three weeks the space in the seed pot is too small. You could now consistently uproot the weak seedlings so that only the strongest survive. However, it makes more sense to prick the marigolds.
Each marigold now gets its own pot in which it can continue to grow undisturbed. To do this, carefully lift the young plants together with the root system out of the planting bowl and place the small marigolds in a flower pot filled with a soil-sand mixture or potting soil.
tips
In mild regions, you can also sow the marigold directly outdoors from mid-May. However, keep in mind that the marigolds will then flower a little later, as they still have to develop fully. Be sure to protect the small seedlings from snails, because the tender shoots are an absolute treat for the voracious animals.